Railroad-crossing signal



C. THERIOT.

RAILROAD CROSSING SIGNAL. APPUCAHON FILED FEB- 25.1919. 1,328,932. Patented Jan. 27,1920.

3 SHEETSSHEET l.

6 f/larz'af C. THERIOT.

RAILROAD CROSSING SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 25. l9l9.

Patented Jan. 27, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEEI 2.

C. THERIOT.

RAILROAD CROSSING SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 25. 1919. 1,328,932. Patented Jan. 27,1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET'3- z 1 [1 Li -L 5/ a 63 L 7 7 69 I gwuwwto'n 6 The/"1'02 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES THERIOT, OF NEVJ IBERIA, LOUISIANA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-THIRD TO' J. WQFFORD SANDERS AND ONE-THIRD TO POBTEUS R. BURKE, BOTH OF NEW' IBERIA, LOUISIANA.

RAILROAD-CROSSING SIGNAL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J an. 27, 1920.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, CHARLES THERIOT, a citizen of the United States, residing at New Iberia, in the parish of Iberia and State of Louisiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Railroad-Crossing Signals; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable other skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in railroad crossing signals and has for one of its objects, the provision of a device of this character which will automatically move into signaling position upon the approach of a train to the crossing from either direction to warn or notify traffic in sufficient time to prevent accidents.

Another object of this invention is the provision of an alarm in connection with the signals adapted to be automatically set in operation upon the signal moving into signaling position, thereby attracting the attention of the traffic to the signal as well as providing a warning.

A further object of this invention is the provision of means actuated or controlled by the passing of a train for rewinding the mechanical alarm after the signal has returned to a non-signaling position.

A further object of this invention is the provision of means for locking the signal in signaling position and which willbe affected by the train after passing the crossing so that the signal may automatically return to a non-signaling position to indicate to traffic that the crossing is clear.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a railroad crossing signal of the above stated character, which shall be simple, durable and efficient, and which may be manufactured and sold at a comparatively low cost.

With these and other objects in View, as will become more apparent as the description proceeds, the invention consists in cer tain novel features of construction, combination, and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described and cla med.

For a complete understanding of my invention, reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which I Flgure 1 1s a plan View ofa railroad cross ing signal constructed in accordance'withmy invention,

Fig. 2 is a side elevation partly in section" right angles to that of Fig. 3 illustrating the alarm in connection with the signal.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view'of" the alarm,

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view illust'rating the spring mechanism for actuating th'e' alarm,

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of Fig. 6illustratlng a brake for holding the alarm against operation when the'signal isin nonsignallng position,

Fig. 8 is a plan view of a track'me'chm nism,

Fig. 9 IS a side elevation of the same,

l0 isa transverse sectional view illustrating the manner of mounting the track" mechanism to the track,

Fig. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 11+11 of Fig. 8, and

i Fig. 12 1s a transverse sectional view taken on the line 1212 of Fig. 4, illustrating the means of releasing the alarm when'the-signal moves into signaling position.

Referring 1n detail to the drawings, the

numeral, 1 indicates a railway track o-fphe;

usual construction and the character 2 indicates a road orstreet crossing. A foun-' dation 3 18 located adjacent the railroad track 1 at the crossing 2 and supports a A tubular casing 5 is carried ousing 4 and is of housing 4.

by the top, wall of the a considerable height so that the same will be in clear view to trafiic upon the road of i the crossing 2. A shaft 6 isjournaled in the tubular casing 5 purpose of supporting a s gnal lamp 7 prov ded with opnositely disposed lenses '8. The lamp casing 7 is adap ed to beilluminated by a suitable lamp 9 located therein.

and has its upper end disposed exteriorly of the cas'ingfcr the' The normal position of the lenses 8 is at right angles to the roadway and parallel with the track 1 so that the same is not visible from the roadway. A semaphore arm 10 is carried by the upper end of the shaft 6 adjacent the lamp casing 7 and normally extends parallel with the roadway 2 and at right angles to the railroad track 1. The lower end of the shaft 6 extends d0wnwardly within the casing 4 and is rotatably supported by a bearing block 11 carried by the bottom wall of the casing. A bevel gear 12 is secured to the lower end of the shaft 6 and is adapted to mesh with a bevel gear 13' carried by 'a stub or counter shaft 14 journaled to the casing 4 and at right angles to the shaft 6. An arm 15 is secured to the counteror stub shaft 14 and has conne'ted thereto a cable 16 which extends exteriorly of the casing 4, for the purpose of connection with a track mechanism which will be hereinafter more fully described, whereby upon downward movement of the arm 15, the shaft 6 will be rotated. moving the lamp casing into signaling position or in such a position that the lenses 8 are disposed parallel with the roadway 2 and the semaphore arm 10 at right angles thereto. A catch 17 is secured to the casing and is adapted to engage the arm 15 when the same moves downwardly to hold the signals in signalin position. A

, drum 18 is secured to the lower end of the shaft 6 at a point below the bevel gear 12 and has wound thereon a cable 19 which is connected to a contractile spring 20 which has its other end connected to the casing. The spring 20 is protected by-a suitable guard 21 carried by the casing. The spring is adapted to return the shaft 6 to its initial position and thereby return the signal to a non-signaling position, when the arm 15 has been disengaged from the catch 17 y by a track mechanism which will be hereinafter more fully described.

A bracket 22 is carried by the upper end of the tubular casing 5 and supports a housing 23, in which is journaled a shaft 24. The shaft 24 has mounted thereon a casing 25, which is free to rotate in relation to the shaft.

A clock spring 26 of considerable strength is located within the casing 25 and has one end secured to the shaft 24 and its other end secured to the casing 25. A collar 27 is journaled on the shaft 24 and is formed on or secured to the casing 25, and has formed integrally therewith a gear wheel 23 which has associated therewith a pair of oppositely disposed dogs 29 that are pivotally supported as illustrated at 30 to the casing to coiiperate with the gear 28 forming an escapement. A hammer or clapper 31 extends through .a slot in the top wall of the housing 23 and is secured to the adjoining ends of the dogs 29 so that upon rotation of the gear 28 by the casing 25 under the influence of the spring 26, the hammer or clapper 31 will be operated. A pair of gongs or bells 32 are positioned upon each side of the hammer or clapper 31 and are supported bv the bracket 33 carried by the upper end of the tubular casing 5. A ratchet wheel 34 is secured to the shaft 24 and has normally in engagement therewith a spring actuated dog 35 which prevents the ratchet wheel from rotating in one direction but will permit the same to have a free rotation in the other direction. An arm 36 is pivoted within the casing and extends exteriorlv thereof and has a dog pivoted thereto that engages the ratchet wheel 34 for the purposes of rotating the ratchet wheel in the last named direction upon each downward movement of the lever 36. for winding the spring 26 by rotating the shaft 24. A rod 36 and is in turn connected to a turn buckle 38 which connects the rod 37 to a,

rod 39. The rod 39 extends downwardly within the casing 4 and is connected to a cable 40 that extends over pulleys 41 and outwardly of the casing 4 for connection with a track mechanism which will be hereinafter more fully described. A brake arm 41 is pivoted within the housing 23 and overlies the casing 25 having its free end directed upwardly as illustrated at 42 and in alinement with the slot 43 in the housing 23. A brake shoe 44 is carried by the arm 41 and is normally held in engagement with the periphery of the casing 25 by means of an expansion spring 45 interposed between the arm 41 and the top wall of the housing 23 for the purpose of preventing the casing 25 from rotating. A curved arm 46 is secured to the shaft 6 and extends through a slot in the cylindrical housing or casing 5 and is adapted to move into the slot 43 of the housing 23 under the end 42 of the arm 41 for disengaging the brake shoe 44 from engagement with the casing 25 permitting the spring to drive the casing, thereby actuating the gongs or bells 32 when the signal moves into signaling position.

Track mechanism 47 and 48 are located in close proximity to each other upon the track 1 upon one side of the crossing 2 and track mechanism 49 and 50 are located upon the track 1 in close relation to each other and upon the other side of the crossing 2. The cable 40 which actuates the winding mechanism for the spring 26 of the clock mechanism for the alarm, is connected to rods 51 and 52 which are in turn connected to bell crank levers 53 and 54. The bell crank levers 53 and 54 are pivotally mounted alongside of the track 1 adjacent the track mechanisms 47 and 50 and are connected upon the wheels coming in engagement with the track mechanism 50 after the train passes the crossing 2 from one direction, the bell crank lever 56 will be rocked upon its pivot actuating the rod 52 which pulls upon the arm 36 through the cable 40 winding the spring 26 of the clock mechanism. When the train passes the crossing 2 in the opposite direction, it actuates the track mechanism 47 which affects the rod 51 operating the arm 36 by the cable 40 thereby winding the spring 26 and it will therefore be noted that a means has been provided for winding the spring upon the passing of a train from the crossing 2 in either direction.

The track mechanisms 47, 48, 49 and 50 each are identical in construction and reien ence to one is thought sufficient for all.

A pair of spaced guide members 57 are supported upon the track known manner in close proximity to one of the rails and at right angles thereto, and are each provided with slots to slidably receive lugs 58 formed upon a casing 59 whereby the casing is slidably supported and capable of moving toward and from the respective rail of the track 1. The outer side wall of the casing 59 is of a greater height than the inner wall and is bent into substantially L-shaped formation in cross section as illustrated at 60 and has mounted therein a member 61. A plate 62 is slidably mounted in the casing 59 and supports the member 61 within the L-shaped portion 60. The plate 62 is supported by expansion springs 63 that urge said plate into engagement with the downwardly depending arm portion of the L-shaped portion 60. A wheel engaging member 64 is carried by the plate 62 and extends parallel with the member 61 and in a plane with the railroad rail and the horizontal arm portion of the L-shaped portion 60. One end of the member 64 is tapered and curved downwardly as illustrated at 65 so that the free end thereof is disposed in a plane below the ball of the rail whereby the flanges of car wheels engage the same and ride upon the member 64 forcing the same downwardly.

[i downwardly depending cam lug 66 is carried by the member 64 and is adapted to rock an arm 67 upon its pivot 66. The other end of the member 64 is provided with a curved extension 68 w rich is adapted to be engaged by the flanges of the wheels for the purpose of permitting the flanges of the wheels to pass between the rail and the member 64 causing said member to be moved laterally and simultaneously moving the casing 59 laterally upon the supporting members 57 against the tension of springs 69. The casing 59 has connected thereto the arms 55 which are adapted to be pivoted to the various bell crank levers so that said bell crank levers will be rocked 1 in any well.

upon their respectivepivots upon the casing moving laterally andas soon as the flanges of the wheels pass from between the rail and the member 64 the casing returns to its initial position under the influence of the springs 69. The arm 55 of the track mechanism 48 has pivoted thereto a bell crank lever 7 0 which is connected to a rod 71. The rod 71 is connected to the cable 16 for swinging the signal into signaling position upon the flanges of the wheels engaging the'member 64 and moving the same laterally. A rod 72 isconnected to the cable 16 and to the arm 67 of the track mechanism 49 so that upon the car wheels riding upon the member 64 of the track mechanism 49 the catch 17 will be disengaged from the arm 15 permitting the signal to be returned to its signaling position under the influence of the spring 20. This occurring when the train has passed the crossing 2 after the actuation of the signal into signaling position. The track mechanism 49 has pivoted to the arm 55 a bell crank lever 75 which is in turn pivoted to a rod 7 6 and is connected to the cable 16 for moving or actuating the signal into signaling position upon the approach of the train to the crossing 2 from the other direction. The arm 67 of the track mechanism 48 has connected thereto a rod 77.

The cable 77 is in turn connected to the catch 7 for disengaging the same from the arm 15 to permit the signals to return to non-signaling position.

hen a train is traveling in the direction of the crossing 2 as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 1 the wheels pass over mechanism 47 and do not aifect the winding mechanism of the clock mechanism as the arm 67 thereof is not connected to the clock mechanism. Upon the wheels engaging the track mechanism 48 the same is moved laterally causing the cable 16 to be pulled moving the arm 15 downwardly in engagement with the catch and thereby swinging the signal into signaling position. The signal remains in this position as the arm 15 is held downwardly by the catch 17. When the signal moves into signaling position, the arm 46 moves under the arm 42 disengaging the brake 44 from engagement with the casing 25 permitting the shaft 24 to rotate actuating the clapper 31 which sounds the gonns 32. The alarm continues to actuate until the wheels of the train engage the track mechanism 49 and compress the member 64 thereof which disengages the catch 17 from the arm 15 permitting the signaling mechanism to be returned. to a non-signaling position under the influence of the spring 20. When the signal returns to a non-signaling position, the arm 46 disengages the arm 42 and the spring 45 forces the brake 44 into engagement with the casing 25 of the clock mechanism thereby stopping the actuation of the the track 7 alarm. When the train engages the track mechanism 50, the flanges of the wheels thereof pass between the member 6-1 and the rail causing the bell crank lever 54: to be rocked upon its pivot which actuates the cable 40 which actuates the arm 36 that Winds the spring 26. The arm 36 is moved downwardly every time a wheel of the train engages the member 64 and moves the same laterally of the track mechanism 50. This also applies to the track mechanism 47 when the train is traveling in an opposite direction from that indicated by the arrow.

When the train is traveling in an opposite direction from that heretofore described, the operation of the device is reversed from that heretofore described.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that minor changes in construction, combination, and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventlon as claimed.

What I claim as new is 1. A railroad crossing signal comprising a supporting casing, a shaft journaled in said supporting casing, a signal carried by said shaft, a track mechanism for rotating the shaft in one direction to move the signal into signaling position upon the approach of a train, means locking the signal into signaling position, an automatic alarm adapted to be set in operation upon the signal moving into signaling position, a track mechanism adapted to be actuated by a train after passing the crossing to release the locking means, and means returning the signal to a non-signaling position.

2. A railroad crossing signal comprising a casing, a shaft rotatably supported by said casing, a signal carried by said shaft, a track mechanism adapted to be actuated upon the approach of a train for rotating the shaft in one direction to move the signal into signaling position, means locking said signal into signaling position, alarm mechanism carried by said casing, means controlled by the movement of said shaft for setting the alarm into operation upon the signal moving into signaling position, a track mechanism for disengaging the looking means to free the signal from signaling position, and means, returning the signal to its non-signaling position and simultaneously stopping the operation of the alarm.

3. A railroad crossing signal comprising a shaft, means rotatably supporting said shaft, a signal carried by said shaft, automatic means turning said shaft in one direction to move the signal into signaling position, means locking said signal. in signaling position, gongs located adjacent the signal, a clock mechanism associated with said gongs, a brake for holding the clock mechanism against operation, an arm car ried by said shaft and adapted to engage the brake to release the same upon the signal moving into signaling position, means releasing the locking means to permit the signal to return to a non-signaling position, and means returning the signal to a nonsignaling position and simultaneously permit of the applying of the brake to the clock mechanism.

4. A railroad crossing signal comprising a supporting casing, a shaft journaled in said casing, a signal carried by said shaft, automatic means for turning the shaft in one direction upon the approach of the train to move the signal into signaling position, means locking said signal in signaling position, a clock mechanism carried by said casing, gongs associated with said clock mechanism to be sounded thereby, a brake associated with the clock mechanism, means carried by said shaft adapted to release the brake from the clock mechanism upon the signal moving into signaling position, means releasing the locking mechanism to permit the signal to return to a non-signaling position, means returning the signal to a nonsi 'naling position, and means winding the clock mechanism upon the passing of the train after the ignal has been turned to a non-signaling position.

5. A railroad crossing signal comprising a casing, a shaft journaled in said casing, a signal carried by the shaft, an alarm on said casing, a clock mechanism for actuating the alarm, track mechanisms located on a track upon each side of a crossing for moving the signal into signaling position, means releasing the clock mechanism upon the signal moving into signaling position, means locking the signal into signaling position, track mechanisms for actuating the locking means upon each side of the crossing to permit the signal to return to a non-signaling position, means returning said signal to a non-signaling position, and means winding the clock mechanism upon a train passing the crossing in either direction.

In testimony whereof I affix my in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES THE signature HOT. /Vitnesses R. F. J. Bnoussane,

MAncUs Dn Emma. 

